Catholic devotees transport the carriage of the Black Nazarene statue through the streets during the annual religious procession in honor of the Black Nazarene in Manila on January 9, 2019. (Photo: Noel Celis, AFP)

The pressure of manning the Black Nazarene procession must have gotten to this Manila police officer who has been relieved from his position for allegedly hitting three rookie officers during the hectic event.

Chief Inspector Alden Panganiban, deputy commander of the Gandara Police Community Precinct in Manila was sacked after the three officers he allegedly hit filed complaints against him, reports from today said.

According to radio station RMN, the three rookie police officers from the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) alleged that Panganiban hit them with a piece of wood because they failed to control the influx of people in their assigned station during the procession of the Black Nazarene on Wednesday.

NCRPO chief Director General Guillermo Eleazar said that Panganiban’s support unit is currently on “floating status” while investigations are ongoing, the same ABS-CBN News report states.

According to SunStar, the complainants have filed charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer, grave abuse of authority, and violation of the anti-hazing law against Panganiban.

While the force listened to the three rookie cops’ concerns, their complaint landed them in hot water too.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde referenced a report of the incident and said that the three cops did not follow Panganiban’s instructions despite the latter having ordered them several times, the Philippine Star reported.

Albayalde said that the three newbie police officers could be charged for non-compliance with a legal directive.